Introduction | Dentalhygienelegacy

The Dental Team

1) Dentist - Leader of the dental team, responsible for all of the treatment and care of the patient.

2) Dental Hygienist - Concerned with the prevention with dental disease, specializing in the scaling, polishing, and radiographing teeth, periodontal treatment, and patient education.

3) Dental Assistant - Aids the dentist in diagnosis, treatment, and dental care.

4) Business Assistant - Responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the business office.

5) Dental Laboratory Technician - Performs dental lab procedures according to a written prescription of a dentist.

Dental Equipment

Lab Equipment

Lathe
Handpiece/lab engine
Model trimmer
Vacuum adapter "The Machine"
Vibrator

Treatment Room Equipment

Patient chair
Stools- Doctor/Hygienist and assistant
Treatment light
Cart/console
Handpiece (High speed/low speed)
High velocity evacuator (HVE)
Saliva ejector
Curing light
Air-water syringe
Rheostat/foot control
Computer
Amalgam/triturator

Sterilization Area Equipment

Ultrasonic instrument cleaner
Cold disinfectant/sterilant container
Autoclaves/sterilization equipment

Introduction to Dental Profession

The Dental Specialties

Specialties

1) Dental Public Health- Involves public/community education to control and prevent disease.

2) Entodontics- Concerned with the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries to the pulp and associated structures.

3) Oral and Maxillofacial radiology - Enhance imaging techniques to locate tumors and infectious diseases of the jaw, assist in trauma cases, and help pinpoint temporomandibular disorders, newest of the specialities.

4) Oral and Maxillofacial surgery- Involves the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defectsof the oral and maxillofacial regions.

5) Oral pathology- Concerned with the nature of the diseases affecting the oral cavity and adjacent structures. Perform biopsies and work closely with oral surgeons to provide a diagnosis.

6) Orthodontics- Involves the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth and associated structures.

7) Pediatric dentistry- Concerned with the oral health care of children from birth to adolescence, often dealing with emotional or behavioral problems.

8) Periodontics- Concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the oral tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth.

9) Prostodontics- Concerned with the restoration and replacement of natural teeth with artificial replacements.